With all the software that is on the open market today for graphic art it is no surprise that there is no shortage of graphic artists out there in cyber world. However, there still is a big difference between a graphic artist with God given talent and just another graphic artist who knows how to make a banner add for you. Many aspiring artists have found their niche in the t shirt world and there are some major websites that have developed a business model that can provide a win-win situation for both sides.
So you want to be a well know graphic artist but you have no idea how to get started? Well there are t shirt websites that run contests where they let the users log in and vote on the designs that they like the best. The winners then get paid either a prize or a royalty for each t shirt sold with their design on it and the t shirt website takes a cut as well. Sounds like a waste of time? What if I told you that there are some sites out there that pay 3-5k to the winners of some contests and the artists who win on these sites become famous within these communities that have thousands of members. Now I think I have your attention so I will take you by the hand and lead you to the promise land.
The first major t shirt site that you have to check out and submit your designs to is Threadless. The story behind the owners of this company is incredible but to shorten it up lets just say that they had $500 to their name when they launched Threadless and it is now a multi-million dollar a year business. They have contests running non-stop and they have different pay outs for each one. Some of the contests get into the 3-5k range and the graphic artists who win on this site are instant superstars in the underground t shirt world. Not bad considering it costs nothing to sign up and submit your designs and you will get paid and become somewhat famous if you win.
Another site you should visit is Design By Humans. The concept is the same with this company yet you will notice a slight difference in the designs on this site. In my opinion this site is more of a detailed design where Threadless will have some detailed designs mixed in with some funny designs as well. DBH is really all about cool designs and the payout with this company is in the same category as Threadless. They operate with a community focus and allow you to submit your designs for the community to vote on and will print the designs with the most votes. If Threadless is the giant in this industry, Design By Humans is the little brother that is growing up quickly.
Another really cool site to submit your designs to is Uneetee. They run a similar competition style format as the other two above, however, they only feature one design each day for 24 hrs. and then it is gone forever. This is a very unique concept for a t shirt site to use but it is working very well for them and they are fast becoming well known by anyone who keeps up with online t shirt companies. As a young aspiring artist, getting your designs voted on by the community of any one of these three sites would be a great step forward even if you do not win the contest. Thousands of people log in daily between these three sites and you are putting your designs in front of all of them with zero money out of your pocket. The winners gain instant recognition and get to compete against other winners usually every 6 months which have much larger payouts. Win one of these contests and you will start getting people emailing you left and right for freelance projects.
In the world of Web 2.0, it is very important to use free resources to get your artwork in front of as many people as possible as many artists have made a career for themselves simply by getting involved in contests much like the ones above and t shirt sales are doing very well right now despite the condition of the economy. If you are an artist and would like to share your experiences with me please email me at wgwear@gmail.com.
If you want to be a Wizeguy, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. You can also subscribe by email Subscribe to Wizeguyztees by Email Thanks for visiting!
January 1st, 2009 at 8:28 am
Happy New Year!!
This stuff is great for new talent/independent artist. And you’re not wrong when you say that “there is still is a big difference between a graphic artist with God given talent and just another graphic artist who knows how to make a banner add for you”.
Do you have any suggestions for “How to Become a Well Known T Shirt BRAND”? Would you suggest that artists of the brand should join these type of communities?
Manz’s last blog post..Project Censored
January 2nd, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Manz, Thanks for the comment and question. I think that branding is a different ball of wax but places like Threadless allow you to set up a profile of your own where you can list your blog, website, etc. so in reality if you submit a design unrelated to your brand to a site like Threadless and people like it they will naturally click on your profile and will be able to see your site that you list. So it could be a great way to create brand awareness in my opinion.
January 7th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Thanks for the reply Dutch.
I think you’re right… it could be a great way to raise awareness. I also think that it may be fun joining just to vote and comment. Something to seriously consider - that’s for sure!!
Manz’s last blog post..Tat2ts Interview - Dave answers questions about GritFX and T-Shirt Design…
January 8th, 2009 at 12:27 am
That is a nice added bit of interactivity that you presented about how the T-shit site allows people to vote designs up or down, based on how they are perceived, so that designs which are not as appealing can be cleared out sooner. It is great how many categories of business are becoming more transparent, and costs that are saved on what would have been wasted attempts are being put towards leading designers to their desired product at a faster pace.
Armen Shirvanian’s last blog post..Making Use of New Year’s Momentum
January 21st, 2009 at 1:40 am
T shirt design is a great way to break into the graphic design community. I really like the designs on those shirts as well.
January 28th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
That’s a brilliant way to get some great designs without having to have a full time staff. The prize of even 5k is cheap compared to having a full time person for more than a month. Plus you’re going to get word of mouth advertising out of it promoting your company—a win-win.
Charles’s last blog post..Looking at the Las Vegas Real Estate Market
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:43 pm
T shirt design is fiercly competitive. I have had a couple of successes, but with text slogans rather than graphic artwork. This may be the easiest way to start making headway in such competitions.
Andy’s last blog post..Sugar Bowl, California - Description, Photos, Wallpapers 1280×1024,1024×768,1280×800
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Hello webmaster
I would like to share with you a link to your site
write me here preonrelt@mail.ru
March 11th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Very nice information. Thanks for this.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I usually don?t post in Blogs but your blog forced me to, amazing work.. beautiful ?
April 4th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Great articles & Nice a site?.
April 5th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
i think it is all about wantingto do something origianl. the problem with design galleries and communities is that sharing and inspiring can cause derivation. or am i being a bit simplistic about it?
rob’s last blog post..April Alternative
May 17th, 2009 at 12:41 am
You pointed out some really great ideas, hoping to read more about these topics in the future.
July 19th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
So how do you tell the difference between a regular old, wash-worn T-shirt, and a piece of art? Intention….I think having something as utilitarian as a T-shirt become a canvas, or having that intention as its foundation will propel it to a new platform. We have to trust that our artists are communicating relevant and valid ideas. Each artist does not consider themselves a T-shirt artist, per se. Find a group of artists that has really substantial artistic work in other media.”
August 4th, 2009 at 8:51 am
there is a big difference between a graphic artist and God given talent graphic artist… its helps you if u learn some graphic designing from somewhere but if you are like not talented not creative . u wont be a effective artist …..for becoming a Tshirt artist Godgift Talent + creativve mind and graphic Ideas are must .
August 5th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Thank you for the insight into what is a good method to get known in the design community.